Many restaurants are delivering — a bit slower

Pat Jernigan clears ice and snow off of the sidewalk in front of Shakespeare's Pizza on Sunday morning. A winter storm dumped 2 to 3 inches of wintry mix on Columbia the night before, with more bad weather expected later.¦ JOHN HOOK/Missourian

BY
Jenna Youngs

COLUMBIA — A number of restaurants offering delivery service were continuing operations Sunday despite the weather conditions.

Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches’ was open and offered delivery service until 12:30 a.m. Monday. Manager James Fox said there were more deliveries than usual and drivers were slower because of the weather conditions.

Gumby’s Pizza has restricted its delivery range “on a street-by-street basis,” shift manager Stephanie Ware said. “If it’s a really hilly street or if it’s too far away, we won’t go there.” She said delivery times are longer than usual because drivers are exercising caution on their runs.

Wise Guy’s Pizza also is operating with a limited delivery area. Shift manager Matt Bergfeld said drivers will go as far west and south as Stadium Boulevard, as far east as Highway 63 and as far north as Vandiver Drive. He said drivers are slower and trying to stick to the “main roads.”

Domino’s Pizza also was continuing delivery service Sunday with normal business hours and delivery range.

Papa John’s pizza delivery has seen average delivery times double from 45 minutes to 90 minutes. Employee Kassie Combs said they are telling customers to expect their pizzas “as soon as we can safely get there.” Papa John’s will close at its regular time: midnight.

Imo’s Pizza is operating with normal service. An employee said there has been no increase in orders and delivery times are average.

Bambino’s Italian Cafe employees are asking customers how the road conditions near them are before delivering. Driver Chris Comerford said the restaurant plans to run regular hours of operation and close at 9 p.m, but will re-evaluate the decision if the weather gets worse.

Although Shakespeare’s Pizza’s dining rooms are open at its two locations, the business has canceled delivery service. Employee Tony Kerr said first-shift delivery drivers expressed concern about the road conditions so they stopped deliveries for the day. He said the restaurant will begin delivery service “whenever it becomes safe to get around.”

Tiger’s Take Out, a business that delivers food from 37 area restaurants, also has canceled deliveries for Sunday. Manager Matt Friedman said they had a significant increase in orders, but shut down for the day because weather conditions are too dangerous for drivers.

“We’ll open again tomorrow pending the weather and if it’s safe for our drivers,” he said.